Nature Moncton Nature News: Sept 14 2019

NATURE MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, September 14, 2019 (Saturday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Transcript by: Catherine Clements

Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)

**Brian Bauld shares some excellent photos of BOBOLINKS [Goglu des prés] in September. He photographed a flock of approximately 40 in the Eddy Marsh at the New Brunswick border near Amherst. Note that one photo shows what would be suspected to be a young of the year bird, whereas the birds in other photos appear to be adults in non-breeding plumage. Seeing Bobolinks is always special, as reports have suggested this species has declined in numbers significantly. Brian also got a clear flight photo of BLUE-WINGED TEALS [Sarcelle à ailes bleues] showing that full patch of blue forewing with the green speculum behind. It’s just not often we get to see it this well.

Eddy Marsh is a Ducks Unlimited site many of us do not seem to check out as much as we should be. Brian got the Bobolink and duck photos there.
Brian provides the way he finds easiest to access the marsh and am quoting Brian below
"If I were coming from Moncton and taking exit 1, I would turn left, head over the overpass, (along Fort Lawrence Road) and continue for about 1 km looking for a road to the right that goes down a hill and out onto the marsh. The road is Eddy Street, but not marked as such. After I get through the wooded section, there is a turn-out to the left that takes you to one end of this area, but instead continue on another half km or so and find another turn-out to the left. About fifty yards up the rise you come to a huge marsh with waterways surrounding it. Excellent walking path that after 1 km or so gets into taller grass, but which probably affords a full-circle walk to the first turn-out mentioned above." Thank you Brian.

**Charles Gaudet caught an excellent photo of a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER [Bécasseau semipalmé] at Petit-Cap carrying some important potential information attached. It had banding on both legs and a transmitter on its back, but seemed quite unconcerned about the secrets it may be able to reveal to researchers.

**Louise Nichols had a great day at Petit-Cap, to see a nice selection of shorebirds, even though some expected were not seen. Louise saw 11 species, with some special ones like BAIRD'S SANDPIPER [Bécasseau de Baird] and BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER [Bécasseau roussâtre]. The SANDERLINGS [Bécasseau sanderling] and DUNLIN [Bécasseau variable] have arrived, but surprisingly, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER [Pluvier argenté] did not put in an appearance. Unfortunately, the dune at Petit-Cap was decimated by Hurricane Dorian, and a photo is attached.

**John Massey got a photo of what Jim Edsall feels is the HITCHED ARCHES MOTH Caterpillar [Chenille à chevrons]. I suspect many of us have never seen this colourful caterpillar. With all the moths, butterflies, sawflies [Mouche à scie], etc. in New Brunswick, the potential to see caterpillars of various shapes and colour patterns at the moment is huge.

**Brian Stone continued his rounds of the Dartmouth area on Friday. Some species blown in seem to be reducing in number, but there are still very noticeable numbers of BLACK SKIMMERS [Bec-en-ciseaux noir]. He met up with Jim Edsall who forwarded him to a group of FORSTER'S TERNS [Sterne de Forster] that had a few BLACK TERNS [Guifette noire] with them. There seemed to be an abundance of SALT MARSH CATERPILLARS [Chenille des marais salants] on the prowl in different shades from dark to lighter, which is consistent with this variable species.

A heads-up that the September meeting of Nature Moncton takes place this coming Tuesday night at the Mapleton Rotary Lodge at 7:00 PM. Check www.naturemoncton.com under UPCOMING EVENTS with more details on tomorrow’s edition.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton